BEIJING — The Chinese Foreign Minister called for a comprehensive ceasefire in the region Iran war He said that his country is “deeply saddened” by the conflict that has been going on for two months.
Wang Yi made the remarks on Wednesday after meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, who was visiting Beijing for the first time since the start of the war with the United States and Israel on February 28.
The Chinese comments could inject new energy into stalled efforts to push for a deal between the United States and Iran that ends the war. These measures came in the wake of a previous statement by US President Donald Trump that he would temporarily pause his short term in office American efforts to steer the ships stuck To direct commercial ships out of the Strait of Hormuz in the hope of reaching an agreement.
Iran has effectively closed the Strait, a vital waterway through which major oil, gas and fertilizer supplies pass Other petroleum products passed before the war, and led to a significant increase in fuel prices, It shook the global economy And exerting enormous economic pressure on countries, including major powers such as China.
“We believe that a comprehensive ceasefire is urgently needed, that a resumption of hostilities is unacceptable, and that it is particularly important that we remain committed to dialogue and negotiations,” Wang said, according to a video of the meeting.
The Chinese Foreign Minister said that the conflict “has already lasted for more than two months. It has not only caused huge losses to the Iranian people, but also had a severe impact on regional and global peace. China is deeply saddened by this.”
The close economic and political ties between China and Tehran give it an opportunity Unique position of influence. The Trump administration is Pressure on China To use that relationship to urge the Islamic Republic to open the Strait of Hormuz.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed his hope that Beijing would reiterate the need for Iran to release its grip on the Strait, which would deprive it of its main source of influence at a time when Trump is demanding a significant rollback of Tehran’s disputed nuclear program.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said Beijing made clear that the parties concerned must act “wisely” and resolve the dispute through dialogue in order to restore peace. He added that China is actively promoting peace talks and will continue to do so.
Araghchi’s visit comes a week before Trump’s expected arrival in Beijing High-level summit. The visit scheduled for May 14-15 with Chinese President Xi Jinping will be Trump’s first visit to China during his second term and the first by a US president since then. Trump visited it in 2017.
“I hope the Chinese will tell him what needs to be told to him,” Rubio said during a press conference at the White House on Tuesday. “And that is, what you are doing in the strait is making you globally isolated. You are the bad guy in this.”